France V/S Belgium - Semifinal, FIFA WC2018 - Full Analysis

Hello everyone, France advances to the Final of FIFA WC2018 by beating Belgium 1-0 at Saint Petersburg Stadium in Russia. Umtiti shines as he headed France in the 2nd half of the match. Belgians were good in the match but not good enough to overcome France defense. Let us take a look at yesterday's match.

Naijaloaded

STADIUM- Saint Peterburg Stadium

TEAMS- FRANCE vs BELGIUM

France's playing XI- Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud.
Subs- Tolisso, Nzonzi
Formation- 4-2-3-1
Manager- D. Deschamps

Belgium's playing XI- Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Chadli, Witsel, Fellaini, Dembele; De Bruyne, E Hazard, Lukaku.
Subs- Carrasco, Mertens, Batshuayi.
Formation- 4-2-3-1
Manager- R. Martinez

PRE-MATCH STATS:

• Total matches b/w France and Belgium are 74.
• Belgium dominating with 30 wins. France 24 wins, 19 Draws.
• In WC, France dominating with 2 out of 2 wins against Belgium {1938(3-1),1986(4-2)} 
• Belgium 2nd appearance in Semifinal of WC.

MATCH:
Kickoff- Griezmann started kickoff.
1"- Mbappe runs through the right flank and crosses to Griezmann who couldn't take it.
16"- De Bruyne passes to Hazard who takes the shot powerfully towards the far post but misses big.
France 0-0 Belgium
18"- Matuidi shots the ball from 23 yards right on the money but goalkeeper in decent position saves easily.
19"- Hazard passes the ball from left flank to center of the pitch to Fellaini but Varane headed the ball away over the goalpost for the corner from 10 yards.
France 0-0 Belgium
22"- Alderweireld takes the shot but saved by Lloris, this is surely going in, He got the ball at the right side and take a move towards middle and takes a shot which was going in at the far post(Curling ball) Lloris dives to his right and manages to keep the ball outside.
31"- Giroud header drifting towards Belgium goal but saved by Courtois.
France 0-0 Belgium
33"- Griezmann takes a shot but shoots it over the post. Making angle from the right side but not enough to score.
37"- Griezmann little selfish efforts made a chance for France but he shots wide of the goal. With the option of Mbappe and Giroud he tries to get to the goal himself and as he dissected defense he takes the shot.
39"- Great save by Courtois as this is 1vs1 chance for Pavard, he takes the shot but stretched keeper saves the day for Belgium.
France 0-0 Belgium

HT 
France 0-0 Belgium

48"- Witsel crosses from Right flank to Lukaku in middle and Lukaku takes the header but can't control it as ball crosses over the post.
51"- GOAL!!! Umtiti headed the ball inside the goal from near post. Corner kick curls inside and Umtiti directs his header towards the near post which went past the goalkeeper real fast. No chance for the goalkeeper.

France 1-0 Belgium
56"- France maintains the pressure from the right flanks as Mbappe is too fast to stop, gives the ball to Matuidi who got blocked.
63"- Yellow for Hazard as he challenged Matuidi.
65"- Mertens crosses a curler inside the box and Fellaini heads it toward goal but couldn't keep it on target.
71"- Alderweireld booked for a foul on Matuidi.
81"- Witsel shot on goal diverted by Lloris a powerful curling shot but can't get past Lloris.
86"-Kante goes into the book for a foul on Hazard.
90+2"- Mbappe booked at the last minutes of the game.
90+4"- Vertonghen booked for his foul against Mbappe.

FT
FRANCE 1-0 BELGIUM

FRANCE IN WC 2018 FINAL. AFTER 2006 THIS IS THE TIME WHEN FRANCE REACHED FINAL BEFORE WINNING TITLE IN 1998.

STATS
FRANCE:
Shots:                           19
On Target:                    05
Possession:                   36%
Passes:                          345
Accuracy:                     83%
Fouls:                            06
Yellow Cards:               02

BELGIUM
Shots:                           09
On Target:                    03
Possession:                   64%
Passes:                          594
Accuracy:                     91%
Fouls:                            16
Yellow Cards:               03

MY VIEWS:

• Belgium's game is better in this match, Better possession, passes, and accuracy.
• Umtiti guided header that differences France from Belgium.
• This is France 3rd win out of 3 with Belgium in WC.
• Belgium was unlucky as the match played with the neck to neck intensity.
• France defense today was impressive as Belgium failed to infiltrate.
• Lloris (C, GK) saved some spectacular saves that are keeping France alive.